Knut, Berlin's world-famous polar bear, who died on March 19, 2011

Picture taken December 5, 2007 shows Knut the polar bear as he celebrates his first birthday at Berlin's zoo (Zoologischer Garten). Germany was in stunned mourning after the sudden and premature death of Knut, Berlin's world-famous polar bear, who died on March 19, 2011, at the end of what animal welfare groups said was an unhappy, short life




Flowers are placed at the enclosure in Berlin zoo, March 20, 2011. Knut, the polar bear who became a global celebrity as a cute cub, died in Berlin zoo on Saturday aged just four. Knut, the first polar bear born at the zoo for more than 30 years, was rejected by his mother and fed instead by his keeper Thomas Doerflein. Thousands of visitors came to watch keeper and cub playing together, and Knut's fame soon spread around the world. The cause of death was unknown and he will undergo an autopsy.




Flowers and personal messages can be seen at the enclosure of Knut the polar bear at the Berlin zoo (Zoologischer Garten) March 20, 2011. Germany was in stunned mourning after the sudden and premature death of Knut, Berlin's world-famous polar bear, who died on March 19, 2011, at the end of what animal welfare groups said was an unhappy, short life.




Picture taken on December 10, 2010 shows the world's most famous polar bear Knut sitting in his enclosure at the zoo in Berlin. Germany was in stunned mourning after the sudden and premature death of Knut, Berlin's world-famous polar bear, who died on March 19, 2011, at the end of what animal welfare groups said was an unhappy, short life.




A picture of Knut the polar bear can be seen in front his enclosure at the Berlin zoo (Zoologischer Garten) March 20, 2011. Germany was in stunned mourning after the sudden and premature death of Knut, Berlin's world-famous polar bear, who died on March 19, 2011, at the end of what animal welfare groups said was an unhappy, short life.



Children stand next to flowers placed at the main entrance to Berlin zoo, March 20, 2011. Knut, the polar bear who became a global celebrity as a cute cub, died in Berlin zoo on Saturday aged just four. Knut, the first polar bear born at the zoo for more than 30 years, was rejected by his mother and fed instead by his keeper Thomas Doerflein. Thousands of visitors came to watch keeper and cub playing together, and Knut's fame soon spread around the world. The cause of death was unknown and he will undergo an autopsy. The banner reads: Knut we will miss you.


World famous German polar bear Knut dies


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters, Gettyimages